Chiefs’ Jeremy Maclin: Character in locker room big part of team’s success

Tuesday

Jan 10, 2017 at 8:18 AM

Jeff Deters

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A locker room is a place where coaches often teach fundamentals, but it also serves as a sanctuary for players, especially those going through a difficult time.

Kansas City wide receiver Jeremy Maclin didn’t have anywhere close to his best regular season. In fact, his 44 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns this year all were career lows. But Maclin admittedly isn’t one who lives in the past. Instead, he’s excited about his immediate future as he and the Chiefs will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round of the playoffs at 12:05 p.m. Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

"I think this season kind of tested me mentally a little bit," said Maclin, who had five receptions for 78 yards on Oct. 2 in the Chiefs’ 43-14 loss at Pittsburgh. "But I couldn’t be more happy with where I am now or the situation the team’s in."

Fresh off a bye week from having won the AFC West and earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the Chiefs are one win away from a spot in the AFC title game. To get to this point, the Chiefs have had to overcome a lot. From losing key players for extended periods of time to the dramatic come-from-behind wins, the Chiefs have somehow returned to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

A big reason for that, according to Maclin, is the character in the team’s locker room.

"It’s as good as I’ve been around, absolutely," Maclin said. "But to say that it’s flawless, I’d be lying to you. Brothers fight all the time. But the difference is when brothers do fight to be able to hug it out and not hold grudges and try to turn your back on each other.

"But it’s been wonderful. As men, this is our job and our responsibility and if you can’t handle yourself in that fashion you shouldn’t be in that locker room anyway. But I think we do a pretty good job."

Even in the midst of a trying season in which he missed four games and was slowed at times in others with a groin injury, Maclin was and still is a powerful voice in the locker room.

"He brought a certain edge, a competitive edge," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "He challenges people. He doesn’t shy away from anything. He loves the game and he’s smart on and off the field. He’s a smart guy, period. He’s brought that not only to the position, but to our offense."

This season, Maclin, the 6-foot, 198-pound seven-year veteran, served as mentor to rookie Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill. His relation with Hill can be described as a loving one, albeit tough love.

"It’s not my job to go in there and tell him what to do and what not to do," Maclin said. "I’m here to listen to him, and if he asks, and if he needs advice with anything, then it’s my job. People forget that these are grown men. And a lot of credit goes to Tyreek for being able to handle himself, be mature.

"But my job is to be there for him, let him know what I’ve gone through in my life on and off the football field and let him know that this is how I coped with it and maybe you can pick up some things here and there. The credit goes to him to be able to go through what he’s gone through and respond the way he’s responded and just be a good, genuine person. I’ve always said you’re not really reaching your max as a person unless you help others, and I think that’s what it’s all about."

Now in the playoffs, Maclin is healthy and he could provide a boost to the offense. But Maclin also sees the big picture, and it’s one the St. Louis native and a former Missouri standout hopes will begin with a Chiefs win Sunday at Arrowhead.

"It’ll be fun," Maclin said. "It’s an exciting time. To come home and play in front of your fans, they’re the best fans in the world. They deserve it. We’ve worked hard to get to this point and we definitely want to put on for the city, for the fans and make everybody proud."

STEELERS AT CHIEFS

When/where: 12:05 p.m. Sunday, Arrowhead Stadium

Records: Steelers 12-5, Chiefs 11-4

TV/Radio: KSNT (27.1) KDVV-FM (100.3)

Line: Chiefs by 1

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